[Cell Phones, Radio Frequencies (RF) and Health: IARC classification and epidemiological updates].

Abstract

In 2013, IARC classified the radiofrequency emitted by mobile phones exposure as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). After this classification, several studies were carried out to confirm and to robust or to reject IARC conclusions. Aim of this work was to draw a synthesis of principal scientific evidencies published till September 2019. The analysis of published results could not indicate clear risk profiles, nor surely confirm or reject the hypothesis that exposures to radiofrequency from mobile phones can threat human health. Despite the prevalence of negative studies, some methodological and temporal limitations prevent to draw firm conclusions about the potential health risks for humans, especially for heavy exposed subjects or particular categories such as children or adolescents. Thus, further studies are needed, as well as some methodological improvements, to fully respond to the question about health threats of radiofrequency emitted by mobile phones.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This review synthesizes evidence published up to September 2019 following IARC’s 2013 Group 2B classification of mobile-phone RF exposure. The authors report that published results do not indicate clear risk profiles and cannot definitively confirm or reject health threats from mobile-phone RF exposure; limitations (including methodological and temporal) prevent firm conclusions, particularly for heavy users and for children/adolescents.

Outcomes measured

• Cancer risk/carcinogenicity
• Human health risks (general)

Limitations

• Review notes methodological limitations in the underlying studies
• Review notes temporal limitations (follow-up/latency) in the underlying studies
• Cannot draw firm conclusions, especially for heavy exposure and for children/adolescents

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.6)
  Discusses IARC carcinogenicity classification of mobile-phone RF exposure and subsequent epidemiological evidence.

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cancer risk/carcinogenicity",
        "Human health risks (general)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This review synthesizes evidence published up to September 2019 following IARC’s 2013 Group 2B classification of mobile-phone RF exposure. The authors report that published results do not indicate clear risk profiles and cannot definitively confirm or reject health threats from mobile-phone RF exposure; limitations (including methodological and temporal) prevent firm conclusions, particularly for heavy users and for children/adolescents.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Review notes methodological limitations in the underlying studies",
        "Review notes temporal limitations (follow-up/latency) in the underlying studies",
        "Cannot draw firm conclusions, especially for heavy exposure and for children/adolescents"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "IARC",
        "Group 2B",
        "radiofrequency",
        "mobile phones",
        "epidemiology",
        "carcinogenicity",
        "children",
        "adolescents"
    ],
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            "reason": "Discusses IARC carcinogenicity classification of mobile-phone RF exposure and subsequent epidemiological evidence."
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}

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